Holmes, Charles 1983-05-20

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Charles Holmes discusses irrigation, hail suppression and vegetable farming on the South Plains.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Charles Holmes

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: May 20, 1983

Location: Floydada, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family to Floydada area, Irrigation, Truck gardening, Potatoes, Electric submersible well (1939), Ditch, Construction, Financing, Pumping capacity, Callahan wells, Acreage, Amount of water required, Changes in method, Conservation techniques, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District, Holmes’ opinion of regulation, Weather modification, Holmes’ philosophy, Hail suppression, Early attempts on South Plains, Coors rain enhancement program, Plains Weather Improvement Association, Effectiveness, Politics.

Tape 1, Side 2: Politics (continued), Rainfall, Opposition, Jerry Sadler Land Commission, Brazos River Authority, PWIA (again), Cost, Central problem, Participation, Capabilities, Vegetables raising on South Plains, Potatoes, Onions, Origin of, Jim Simpson and Kenneth Covasco, Johnny Miller and the Bar Wise, Influence of Winter Garden, Onions (again), Cost of production, Water, Shipping, Produce companies, Varieties grown on South Plains, Bell peppers, Market fluctuations, Labor, Housing.

Tape 2, Side 1: Housing (continued), Co-op vegetable operations, Problems, Important factors of vegetable production, Labor (again), Market, Onions, DeBruyn Company, South Plains acreage in vegetables, Production quotas and limits, Growers, Profits (1981), Technological developments in South Plains vegetable production, Mechanization, Seed transplants, Irrigation (again), Increase in energy cost, Natural gas as energy source, Electric motors versus gas motors.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1937-1983

Bulk Dates: 1950-1983


Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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